The BCG vaccine was developed to protect against tuberculosis and is therefore not directly targeted against the coronavirus. However, there is clear evidence that the vaccine also protects against other infectious diseases, such as the coronavirus.
The extension of the research to the Netherlands and also Spain is due to a new subsidy of six million euros. The money was donated by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.
Mihai Netea, professor at Radboud university medical center, is pleased with the international research made possible by this grant. He emphasizes that, in addition to tuberculosis, the vaccine also works against other diseases, but research “has yet to show.” “The more people who participate in the study, the sooner we can expect results.”
The BCG vaccine is administered to 130 million babies annually.
–